Rudd says Sri Lanka peaceful

16 April 2010 01:23 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says parts of Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are now more peaceful than they used to be and that would be taken into consideration when considering asylum applications.

He said more and more applications were likely to be rejected as the security situation continued to improve.

Responding to caller Sarah from Sydney, who said she was a Tamil who had fled Sri Lanka because of systematic persecution, Mr Rudd said the overall policy hadn't changed and those asylum seekers not found to be genuine were sent home.

Those found to be in genuine fear of persecution, then Australia would provide a safe haven, he said.

"But what's happened... is that we have now changing security circumstances in large parts of Sri Lanka. They have recently had democratic elections there," he told the Seven Network on Friday morning.

"Outside of the Jaffna Peninsular, the very top of the country, the rest of the country is going OK."

Mr Rudd said Australia was basing changing processing arrangements for asylum seekers on reporting from that country.

"Large parts of it are more secure. Some parts are not. Therefore, it depends where the people come from. The same with Afghanistan."

He said parts of Afghanistan were now more stable than before.

"Therefore, you have got to make a decision which fairly reflects where people come from, not just from the country but from the parts of the country," he said.

Mr Rudd said the government had suspended processing of asylum applications from people from Sri Lanka as the security situation unfolded.

"If it continues to improve, we will find more and more of those applications rejected and more sent back home," he said. (APP)

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Comments - 9

Friday, 16 April 2010 03:17 AM

glad the intentional community is communicated with the correct picture of sri lanka.

Friday, 16 April 2010 03:55 AM

This is good for Sri Lanka

Friday, 16 April 2010 04:46 AM

Why part of Sri Lanka? The entire Sri Lanka is peaceful Mr Kevin Rudd, but not the government ministers those who didn't fulfill citizens needs.

Friday, 16 April 2010 04:47 AM

Rudd doesn't care about Sri Lanka. He just wants to avoid criticism for his loose policies towards refugees that might lead to a fall-out.

Friday, 16 April 2010 05:26 AM

Yes you are correct. But why none of the Head of State like Mr Rudd visiting SL?

Friday, 16 April 2010 05:40 AM

Mr Rudd and his government has taken a very good decision that all other countries should follow. No reason what so ever for any Sri Lankan to seek refugee in anywhere in the world.

Friday, 16 April 2010 07:16 AM

Which parts of Sri Lanka are not peaceful now?

Friday, 16 April 2010 07:17 AM

This is a really good move.

Friday, 16 April 2010 05:47 PM

Say, 'Sri Lanka is peaceful.' But, don't say 'Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are peaceful now.' Here, the implication is wrong.

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Rudd says Sri Lanka peaceful

Comments - 9

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